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NCGP 2025 Day Two Recap

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 02:44:30 GMT

Neff Repeats, Punchard Take First Cyclocross Elite Win

Dry and sunny conditions welcomed racers to the second day of the NCGP weekend in Hendersonville, NC. The race weekend, presented by Hunter Subaru, is the final stop on the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Series calendar.

The day two race course featured several course changes, including a double-180 transverse on the Collegiate Off Camber and 180 turn to approach the barriers in reverse. The course also brought back the traditional “Wall,” a steep grass ascent with a paved approach.

The elite women started strong keeping together in the first half of the lap. A small group of 4 composed of Ella Brenneman from CXD Trek Bikes, Lizzy Gunsalus of Marion University and current Pan-American Champion, Jolanda Neff, with Cannondale Factory Racing and Lauren Zoerner with Competitive Edge Racing broke away with Brenneman taking the lead into lap two.

Zoerner, Gunsalus, and Neff kept the pace animated, pushing to shatter the group. Elli Clark of Brevard College and Amelia Shea from Feedback Sports gave chase individually. The leading three eased off the pace slightly heading into three laps to go, staying together for the remainder of the lap, until on the return to the start, Gunsalus clipped a stake and went into the tape. While Zoerner worked to pass Gunsalus, Neff had already taken advantage of the mishap, creating space between herself and Gunsalus on the approach to the finish line. Gunsalus recovered quickly, overtaking Zoerner in her pursuit of Neff. Gunsalus reunited with Neff coming into the first off-camber section off the start.

Gunsalus and Neff remained locked in together throughout the last lap, approaching and riding The Wall together. Gunsalus continued to push, but a late wheel tap in one of the last turns resulted in a dropped chain, allowing Neff to solo to her second victory of the weekend. Zoerner maintained her third position to finish, after a powerful performance during the race.

The full elite woman’s results can be viewed at https://usacycling.sport80.com/pub/results/events/30621/d/cx/2025-11-23

In the Elite Men’s race a group including Tom Scott from Marion University, Tyler Clark of Caledon Hills Armada, Tyler Orschel with Pan American Union Racing, Jules Van Kempen with Team Winston Salem, Kerry Werner of Velo Mafia Racing p/b Bikeflights, Tofik Bashir from CXD Trek Bikes, and Cole Punchard with Cannondale Factory Racing led the charge from the start and into the Collegiate Off-Camber on the back of the course.

Orschel, Clark, and Van Kempen pushed the pace, creating their lead group of three, given chase by Werner, Bashir, and Punchard. Bashir powered away from Werner and Punchard to make contact with the lead group. Punchard also left the Werner group to chase after the lead group, leaving Werner solo in his chase.

With 5 laps to go, Orschel attacked, leaving Van Kempen, Bashir, and Punchard to give chase. Clark was just off the back of the chase group. Along the backside of the course, Bashir and Van Kempen dropped Punchard, leaving Punchard chasing for the remainder of the lap to rejoin the group. After making contact, Punchard went over Van Kempen and Bashir on the finish straight with three laps to go, giving chase to Orschel. Punchard’s effort brought the group together again. An unfortunate slip by Van Kempen put him on the back foot, leaving Orschel, Punchard, and Bashir in the front. Meanwhile, Werner overtakes Clark, forming a chase of two.

Bashir continued to make his presence known, taking the lead within the front group, and positioning to lead over the barriers with two laps to go. Bashir’s advantage grew as he headed into the bell lap, and help throughout the lap until a fall in the S turns on the return from Collegiate Off Camber towards Pit 2 allowed Punchard and Orschel to make contact and reestablish their group of three. Repeating his attack on the barriers, Bashir attacked to lead into the final barriers, but lost the front position as the group came into The Wall as Punchard and Orschel both made moves to pass Bashir. Punchard was first to final turn on the pavement straight, taking the win over Orschel on day two. Bashir held on to third, with Van Kempen fourth, Werner fifth, and Clark in sixth.

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NCGP 2025 Day One Recap

Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:40:58 GMT

Olympian Neff Wins, Werner takes 12th UCI Victory at Day One of the 20th Edition of the NCGP

Racers gathered to celebrate the 20th edition of the North Carolina Grand Prix in Hendersonville, NC on Saturday. The race weekend, presented by Hunter Subaru, is the final stop on the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Series calendar.

In the Elite Women’s race, Lizzy Gunsalus of Marion University and current Pan-American Champion, took the hole shot. Followed by Jolanda Neff, with Cannondale Factory Racing and Lauren Zoerner with Competitive Edge Racing, the three formed a gap going into the barriers on lap one, forming a strong group that was given chase by Ella Brenneman from CXD Trek Bikes, and Amelia Shea of Feedback Sports.

The group of three stayed together until 4 laps to go, with Gunsalus and Neff gaining time over Zoerner on the Collegiate Off Camber on the far side of the course. With three laps to go, Neff began to push the pace, slowly building a gap over Gunsalus that held until the end. Neff took a strong win in 48:06, followed by Gunsalus in second :39 seconds behind. Zoerner rounds out the day one podium in third.

Neff last raced cyclocross at the NCGP in 2022, taking the day one win. Neff shared that she enjoyed being back on the cyclocross bike and racing the NCGP course due to its numerous turns and features, after just returning back to riding after her off-season.

The full elite woman’s results can be viewed at https://usacycling.sport80.com/pub/results/events/30621/d/cx/2025-11-22

The elite men’s race has been long anticipated following Kerry Werner’s announcement of his retirement at the end of 2025 cyclocross season. The NCGP was Werner’s first UCI win in 2012, and he expressed the desire to make the NCGP his last UCI wins of his elite career. The elite field set a hectic pace from the whistle that only began to separate heading into the second half of lap 1. A group of seven comprised of Werner of Velo Mafia Racing p/b Bikeflights, Tom Scott from Marion University, Tyler Clark of Caledon Hills Armada, Tyler Orschel with Pan American Union Racing, Tofik Bashir from CXD Trek Bikes, Jules Van Kempen with Team Winston Salem, and Nate Gervez from Roanoke College lead after the first lap.

Clark, Werner, and Bashir took control of the front group, pushing the pace to slowly splinter and pull away, leaving Van Kempen chasing in fourth position. A mid-race mechanical ended Orschel’s race for the day.

Clark, Werner, and Bashir maintained their lead despite Van Kempen’s pursuit, trading places throughout the race. With one lap to go, Bashir overtook Werner, leaving Clark d angling within striking distance. Clark continued to chase, seconds off the pace. Werner took control into the barriers, but Werner’s barrier hopping gave a slight edge over Bashir’s lead. A misstep on a couple of the final feature turns allowed Werner to take advantage and create a gap over Bashir heading into “The Wall” feature for the last time. Werner held the lead to take his 12th UCI win. Clark fought back to overtake Bashir, leading to a hard chase out of the final turn onto the paved finish straight, with Clark finishing second, and Bashir in third.

The full elite men’s race results can be viewed at https://usacycling.sport80.com/pub/results/events/30621/d/cx/2025-11-22

Werner shared that to get his last win at t he North Carolina Grand Prix is storybook perfect, with his long history of racing in Hendersonville. When asked about his impact on cyclocross, Werner shared that he’s always approached racing in a way to make it fun, while remaining locked in within the tape, and that the friendships developed through racing with the same people week in and week out has been his favorite aspect of racing.

The NCGP course features wide open straightaways into technical turn sequences, off camber sections, a belgian stair run up, The Wall, and paved straightaways. 2025 marks the 20th year of the NCGP, presented by Hunter Subaru , with support from DeFeet and Baird Private Wealth Management . The NCGP is the longest running elite-level cycling event in North Carolina, celebrating 20 years in 2025.

Day two of racing will resume on Sunday, November 22, 2025.

All photos by Jamie Arkfeld Photography. Used by permission.

Welcome to the 20th Anniversary of the NCGP!

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:04:07 GMT

Welcome to the NCGP!

North Carolina Cyclo-Cross is excited to welcome you to Hendersonville for the 20th Anniversary of the North Carolina Grand Prix, presented by Hunter Subaru!

NCGP Highlights

This year’s race elite roster highlights include Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion, and Swiss National Champion Jolanda Neff, 2024-2025 U23 Pan-American Champion Lauren Zoerner, Canadian Cyclocross National Champion Tyler Clark, 11-time NCGP Winner and 2020 Pan-American Champion Kerry Werner, and former World Cyclocross Team USA member and local coach Tristan Cowie.

The event is free for spectators. The course can be viewed almost entirely from the top of “The Wall,” with views of the barriers, pits, and off-cambers, all features that provide racers with unique challenges. Vehicles from Hunter Subaru will be on display, and food available from local vendors. The NCGP course will feature some of the traditional segments, along with updated sections to test racers at every level.

We are pleased to reveal this year’s 1st place podium posters designed by Chloë Holzapfel ! This year's posters celebrate the legacy of the NCGP, featuring courses raced in the 20 year history. The posters seamlessly transition between day 1 and day 2 for a matching set for those that win both days! Limited posters and stickers will be available at the NCCX merch table, along with NCCX stickers, t-shirts, NCCX Big Bobble hats, and DeFeet socks.

Event Schedules

The course will open for inspection on Friday 3:00 p.m.- dark (between 5:30 p.m./6:00 p.m.).

Team load in is available starting at 12:00 p.m. on Friday.

Racing will start at 8:10 a.m. on both race days, with the featured UCI Elite Women starting at 1:15 p.m. ET and the UCI Elite Men starting at 3:25 p.m. ET. This year NCGP will also feature the UCI Jr 17-18 Women and Men categories at 10:05 am ET and 11:00 am ET. The NCGP is the final meet for the ECCC and ACCC collegiate cyclo-cross schedule.

Race schedule and some categories are varied from the usual series schedule. Please check the NCGP schedule here and confirm your race time and category for this weekend! Series racers should sign up for the race that matches their category, results will carry over to the team standings for the NCCX series.

Important Info

Pre-registration for collegiate, category, masters, and elite racers is open online until Thursday, Nov. 21 at 11:59 pm ET. UCI categories must pre-register. Day-of registration is available online for non-UCI races and closes 60 minutes prior to the start of each designated race. There is an additional $15 fee for the day of registration. Register online here.

All racers must collect a new bib number for the NCGP. Timing chips will remain the same for NCCX series racers.

Staging and call-ups begin 15 minutes before each race start. Be prompt as our UCI officials will be officiating and strictly staying on schedule.

The early bell and/or 80% rule will be in effect, so pay attention to your elapsed race time and where the race leader (of all categories for your time slot) is on course.

Day 1 of the NCGP is the final race in the NCCX Team Cup, so bring your squad out!

Volunteer with Us!

We need volunteer course marshals for the races on Saturday and Sunday! Sign up here and be on the front lines of the action! Volunteers get some sweet NCCX swag, including 5 free photo downloads from our series photographer, Jamie Arkfeld Photography!

Parking and Venue Access

Jackson Park, 708 Glover St. in Hendersonville , will remain open all weekend for public use, but there will be no through traffic during the event. The best entrance into Jackson Park for the event is from the Glover St. entrance located off Spartanburg Hwy.

For parking, please refer to the following venue layout:

Pro/Team space is still available to purchase during registration on BikeReg. Or email Tim directly at timothyhopkin@yahoo.com

Collegiate team space can be reserved during registration on BikeReg. Please provide your team's needs by 10:00 am on Friday.

Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors and Partners!

Hunter Subaru

DeFeet

Baird Private Wealth Management

Jamie Arkfeld Photography

Daily Cycle Avl

Rock Creek Rumble 101

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:22:03 GMT

Rock Creek Rumble 101

What is the Rock Creek Rumble? It’s a youth-only cross-country mountain bike race for ages 10-18. Get all the race details here and register on BikeReg here !

What is a race age? The race age is your age at the end of the year – ex: if you are 15 now but turning 16 this year, your race age is 16. Learn all about that here!

What category do I race? Categories are decided on race age, except for the older categories. There will be two race category options for Junior Men and Women 15-18 years of age. The OPEN category is for faster more experienced racers. The regular category is for new and developing racers. You can only register to race in one category, not both.

Is there on site registration? No, registration is online only and closes on Wednesday, March 19.

Can I pre-ride? Pre-ride will be open Friday, March 21 from 1pm to 7pm. There will also be pre-ride Saturday at 7:30am-9:30am and 12:50pm-1:50pm.

Packet pick-up : Riders and coaches can check in and get race numbers/coaches pre-ride plates starting at 1pm on Friday. All riders accessing the course must check in prior to riding.

What’s the course like? The course is a mixture of grass start/finish/feed zone, double track, and single track, with lots of areas for passing as well as using your cornering skills! The course has multiple line options for riders depending on age/skill level, and is very fun to ride!

What’s included? All racers will be professionally timed, with results submitted to USAC. Riders will also receive a discount for a Sunday ride pass at Ride Rock Creek! Top three in each category will get some fun awards from Ride Rock Creek. We’ll also have an announcer, food trucks, coffee trucks, and more fun!

Can we camp? Yes, camping is allowed for this event! Spaces can be reserved from Ride Rock Creek here .

Can coaches/parents pre-ride? Yes, coaches/parents can pre-ride but must sign up in advance and submit the required waivers at registration.

Other things to know:

Cell service at the race venue is limited depending on carrier. Public wifi is available at the park shop.

Team area will be available for teams or large groups to set up near the start/finish area. If you set up tents, please stake/weight them.

Guide to the 2024 North Carolina Grand Prix

183:776283505 (Timothy Hopkin) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:37:06 GMT

Welcome to the NCGP!

North Carolina Cyclo-Cross is excited to welcome you to Hendersonville for the 19th Annual Hunter Subaru North Carolina Grand Prix! This year’s edition is even more special following Tropical Storm Helene and its impacts in the region. We are grateful for the cycling community and that we can continue to race with you.

Visiting the Area

While Henderson and Transylvania Counties were hit hard by Tropical Storm Helene, local resources and infrastructure like power, water, and road access have been restored quickly. Your stay this year won’t feel especially different from previous years. There may be additional road work in some areas, a few businesses rebuilding, and some visible signs of storm damage, but our small businesses that rely on tourism are eager to welcome you as well!

If you are in surrounding areas like Asheville, Old Fort, and Black Mountain, there will be more extreme damage and ongoing recovery efforts, but the need for visitors who support our tourism economy is vital. We just ask for patience and respect if you find yourself in these areas.

Access to Hendersonville is smooth sailing from the east. If you are traveling from TN or beyond, be aware that I40 is closed between NC and TN. Alternate routes will be required so check your mapping resources.

NCGP Highlights

We're excited to see registration filling up in our elite fields for the weekend! NCGP fav and most-winningest in NCGP history Kerry Werner, current CX National Champion Eric Brunner, 5-time French National Champion Caroline Mani, and PanAm U23 Champion Lauren Zoerner.

We are pleased to reveal this year’s 1st place podium posters designed by Chloë Holzapfel ! Taking inspiration from the F1 circuit, the posters highlight iconic NCGP features, and seamlessly transition between day 1 and day 2 for a matching set for those that win both days! Limited posters and stickers will be available at the NCCX merch table, along with NCCX stickers, t-shirts, NCCX Big Bobble hats, and DeFeet socks.

Event Schedules

The course will open for inspection on Friday 3:00 p.m.- dark (between 5:30 p.m./6:00 p.m.).

Team load in is available starting at 12:00 p.m. on Friday.

Important Info

All racers must collect a new bib number for the NCGP. Timing chips will remain the same for NCCX series racers.

Staging and call-ups begin 15 minutes before each race start. Be prompt as our UCI officials will be officiating and strictly staying on schedule.

The early bell and/or 80% rule will be in effect, so pay attention to your elapsed race time and where the race leader (of all categories for your time slot) is on course.

Day 1 of the NCGP is the final race in the NCCX Team Cup, so bring your squad out!

Volunteer with Us!

We need volunteer course marshals for the races on Saturday and Sunday! Sign up here and be on the front lines of the action! Volunteers get some sweet NCCX swag!

Parking and Venue Access

For parking, please refer to the following venue layout:

Pro/Team space is still available to purchase during registration on BikeReg. Or email Tim directly at timothyhopkin@yahoo.com

Collegiate team space can be reserved during registration on BikeReg. Please provide your team's needs by 10:00 am on Friday.

Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors and Partners!

Hunter Subaru

DeFeet

Journey Physical Therapy

Visit Hendersonville

Jamie Arkfeld Photography

Daily Cycle Avl

Sycamore Cycles

Motion Makers

Junior Race Supporters

Whitney Commercial

Navitat

Constellation Cycling

Downtown Asheville Racing Club/Asheville Youth Cycling

NCCX Ambassador: Marcos

183:776283505 (Timothy Hopkin) — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 00:29:21 GMT

NC Cyclist Goes Above and Beyond in Response to Tropical Storm Helene

Editor’s note: The idea of creating a more formalized NCCX Ambassador program has been in the back of our minds for a while. We see the enthusiasm and support from racers across the NCCX community regardless of status and value the big and small ways every one of each of you share your love for cyclocross. Obviously when we started planning for the Fall 2024 season, we had no idea how Tropical Storm Helene would derail a lot of the preparation for the season. While some of our plans for the season are now a little delayed, we still want to feature our first class of NCCX Ambassadors (and more of you, stay tuned!).

Hurricane Helene Update

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 21:05:44 GMT

Hurricane Helene and 2024 Series Update from Tim

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Dear NCCX Community,

Thank you for your patience in series updates during the devastation and disruption of Hurricane Helene.

My family and friends in the region are safe and managing the current situation with limited resources and connectivity.

There’s been limited information about the upcoming season due to loss of power and internet over the past 10 days. Utilities are slowly being restored, as of 1pm today (Sunday, Oct 6, 2024), power has been restored in my neighborhood!

The first weekend of racing will go ahead as scheduled, with the series kick off on Saturday, Oct 12 in Gibsonville, and Sunday, Oct 13 in Raleigh at Lion’s Park.

Due to current circumstances and out of respect for the community and their disaster response, we are planning to move the race initially scheduled to take place in Boone on Sunday, Oct 20, to a different venue. Additional details will be shared as they are finalized. We look forward to returning to a resilient Boone in 2025!

There have been many questions about how to help. At this point, monetary donations are the largest need for the region. Consider supporting the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina as they will be a vital funding source for rebuilding our community. Donate here!

Now more than ever, we are looking forward to seeing you and coming together to race cyclo-cross, starting the next season this weekend, and celebrating the strength of our cycling community.

Best wishes,

Tim